Looking out my window...

High Anxiety.

 
Copper's Bangs.
Photo by Sharon

 
Toilet Paper - Over
Photo by Sharon


Once we told Copper that he was in fact a very smart dog (a family tradition) he began talking to us.

As smart as he is, however, he does not speak English. He speaks one language, just as we do. He speaks "dog" and we speak "people." And so we try our best to speak in a way we can understand each other.

Copper has always barked. Sometimes it's a warning bark and other times it's simply a "hey, look at me, I need your attention." As I've written before, he is a "watch" dog, rather than a "guard" dog, and he does he job very well. Maybe, too well.

He has increased his vocabulary to include: moaning, whining, purring, and other melodic sounds at various decibels. Sometimes he precedes these sounds with a short, sharp bark. Translation: "Listen up. I'm going to tell you something."

My method of translating the sounds following the "listen up" bark is to make a mental check of what has preceded the bark. For example: when was last meal, last potty break, last drink of water, last time he was petted. I will ask him what he wants: "Do you want to PEE?" " Do you want to EAT?" "Do you want Water?" "Do you want a TOY?"

He understands me and those key words. When I ask the right question he will usually jump up or make some other quick movement and a little bark. After his needs are met he resumes his peaceful self and usually takes a nap (a trait he adopted from the Chief).

Lately, after he has been fed, Copper returns and begins to "talk" to us again. I listen, knowing he has just gone out, eaten and given fresh water. So, I decided that I would try giving him more food. He came back after a few minutes and went to sleep. When I checked his food bowl I could see that he had taken one or two bites, but left the rest.

I thought about this. And, being a worrier myself, I recognized that his new behavior was driven by anxiety. High anxiety. He wants to make sure he has food immediately available. He worries if there isn't any food in his bowl. He doesn't eat it all. He just wants to see it there, to know it's there, to know he isn't going to "run out."

And, that's exactly how I feel about toilet paper!

Weapon for Mass Destruction Used in Arizona

 
Two Juncos in Linden Tree 2011.
Photo by Sharon.

Since last Saturday the Nation has been in turmoil, grieving over the senseless shootings in Arizona. Since last Saturday the Nation has been mourning the deaths, inspired by the bravery of heroes in our midst, and hoping for the recovery of those wounded.

Some have laid blame at the feet of others who didn't actually shoot the gun. Others have spoken out against the hatred spewed and strewn in the political setting. Some have quickly purchased the same type of gun used in the massacre. And at least one has inflamed the nation's conscience even further.

The shooter, deep in his downward spiral into mental illness, needed medical intervention prior to this event. My layman understanding of schizophrenia is that it often presents itself at the time our children are entering college. It is the nature of the disease. But, even if his illness had been addressed earlier, what exactly would have happened?

Probably nothing of significance. It's been about 20 - 30 years since States began closing Mental Institutions due to budget constraints. The forgotten unseen people in these institutions were put out and became the forgotten homeless we see everyday.

The political environment has become the meanest I've ever experienced. I, myself,  have questioned the sanity of the television and radio pundits...on both sides. It is at best mean spirited and at worst calculating madness. Could we as a nation "tone down" our conversations? Quit calling each other traitor? Quit using violent metaphors for solving problems? Maybe.

Could we, as Americans, treat other Americans with respect? Could we, as human beings, treat all other human beings with respect? Difficult to answer. We, as a living species, have always been violent. But, we have had leaders throughout the world, at various times, who showed us peaceful restraint. Nothing comes from violence but violence. Can peace come forth from peace? Let us hope.

The NRA has a death grip on our politicians. Why. Is it the money they give to campaigners? Do we have the "right to bear arms"? If so, why. We had a revolution to separate from Britain. We needed arms to do that. We had a Civil War. We needed arms to do that. We came to this land and stole it from the native peoples who lived here. We needed arms to do that. That is our history. Does it have to be our future? If you feel that it is possible that one day you will need to protect yourself from our government then perhaps you need arms to do that. But, why in the world would you need to carry them around at all times in all places.

The gun used in Arizona on Saturday was not a weapon for hunting deer or other wildlife. It was designed to kill people. That is it's purpose. It's only purpose. It is an automatic, rapid firing weapon that military and law officials need to do their job.

There is no reasonable reason for owning that type of gun. In fact, until 2004 they were outlawed. As were the extended bullet clips.

The issue is complicated, just like so many other issues our country must handle. But, there is no reason to manufacture bullet clips made to hold 30 bullets for public use. No reason. No reason at all. No reason except to kill someone. Many someones. Thirty bullets in a clip are Weapons for Mass Destruction.

Er, Uh, Wer, Dat, Het....

Finch on Feeder 2010

What's wrong with the above picture? No, not the photographic qualities.  It's the bird feeder. It has two hangers for two containers of seed. The first contains thistles for finches only. The second should be sunflower seeds for all others.

I have, in my own sweet way, been nagging the Chief to please put up the second one.

Why only this morning I turned and said to him "PLEEEZE put up the beed firder today!"

I said "Did you hear me?" and he said "Yes, and I understood you."

LOL

I think I've mentioned my verbal dyslexia before. With the fibromyalgia it's gotten worse. And then that darn ole "Fibro Fog" where the brain completely stops working. What fun that is!

It doesn't happen every day, but more that once a week. I will start to talk to the Chief and out of my mouth comes "Er, Uh, Wer, Dat, Het...." A bunch of mismashed one syllables. When I realize what I'm saying I'll stop and wait a few seconds and then try again. That usually works. I would like to say it occurs because my super intelligent brain works much faster than my mouth. But, I know that other fibromyalgia people have this same problem - they forget how to speak.

Fortunately, for me, the Chief fluently understands dyslexia. It's his second language.